Considering ADR L4/L5

[harrietrf]

Hello all,

I've just been referred to a new surgeon who wants me to consider having an ADR on a degenerated disc at L4/L5. He's diagnosed me with something called Bertolotti Syndrome, which means I have an asymmetric joint between L5 and my sacrum, which is causing pressure on L4/L5 na dbasically means the DDD and herniation there is not going to go away. My main convern is that I'm 22, and used to be pretty active. There don't seem to be many people as young as me who've had this surgery and I'm worried about how long the replacement will last and whether it will affect the discs above.

Any help and advice appreciated!

Harriet

[Harrison]

Welcome Harriet, sorry you are here. I may visit this topic later. In the mean time, I’ll “bone up” on Bertolotti’s syndrome, which is new for me. A few links for me, you and others:

Minimally invasive surgical treatment of Bertolott... [Neurosurgery. 2008] - PubMed result

SpringerLink - Journal Article

Bertolotti's syndrome: A CAUSE OF BACK PAIN IN YOUNG PEOPLE -- Quinlan et al. 88-B (9): 1183 -- Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume

Bertolotti's syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I suspect that this will contraindicate you for disc replacement, as it may place abnormal stresses on the facet joints. Any experienced spinal arthroplasty surgeon will be able to give you an assessment and guidance.